Chancellor Endowment Funds

Thanks to generous campus supporters, the Chancellor Endowment Funds offer Penn State Wilkes-Barre faculty and staff a unique opportunity to request funds each fiscal year (July 1–June 30). Funds must be used within the requested calendar year. No rollover of funds is permitted. Guidelines for each fund are listed below.

Funds have previously been used to support professional development opportunities (training, conferences, professional speakers, etc.), research, curriculum development, faculty scholarship, entrepreneurship, student scholarship, equipment, and more. Applicants are required to clearly identify the return on investment of each proposal, as well as how it supports Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s mission, values, and strategic plan.

Applications for funding are accepted twice a year, in September and April. To apply, use the Chancellor Endowment Funds Request Form.

George Bierly Endowment for Scholarship at Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Utilization of Funds: This gift shall be used to establish an endowment to be known and referred to as the “George Bierly Endowment for Scholarship at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.” Expenditures shall conform to existing University policy and shall be determined by the Chancellor at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, or his/her designee. Expenditures shall be made to support various scholarly programs and initiatives at Penn State Wilkes-Barre and may be used for, but are not necessarily limited to, faculty research activities, student scholarships, student research activities, honor society research, and other campus scholarship activities. In the event that available funds are used for student scholarships, consideration for support shall be given to students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State Wilkes-Barre who have achieved superior academic records. Students who manifest promise of outstanding academic success and who have a demonstrated financial need will also be eligible for consideration. Scholarships may be awarded to eligible recipients regardless of enrollment status, so long as the recipients are in good academic standing and intend to continue their education at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Robert and Shirley Fortinsky Discretionary Fund for Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Utilization of Funds: The funds received by the University shall be used to establish an endowment to be known and referred to as the “Robert and Shirley Fortinsky Discretionary Fund for Penn State Wilkes-Barre.” Expenditures shall conform to existing University policy and shall be determined by the President of the University, or his/her designee, and shall be made to support the programs and activities of Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Available funds may be used for a variety of initiatives and may include scholarships and awards to students who are enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. If scholarships are awarded, each scholarship shall be awarded for one academic year and may be renewed for subsequent years providing the recipient continues to meet the conditions of eligibility and funds are available.

Charles Davis Endowment for Entrepreneurship at Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Utilization of Funds: These funds shall be used to establish an endowment to be known and referred to as the “Charles Davis Endowment for Entrepreneurship at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.” The purpose of this fund shall be to provide flexible program funding to be used by the Chancellor at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, or his/her designee, to support entrepreneurial activities of the campus, its faculty, and its students. Expenditures may include, but are not necessarily limited to, curriculum development, entrepreneurial speakers, participation in entrepreneurship conferences and competitions, networking and mentoring activities, technical assistance and other tools that help students, faculty, and community start-ups to thrive and grow.